JACKSON HOLE, WYO – It’s officially official: Slade Ross will be on the November 6 general election ballot after his petition to run as an Independent candidate for Sheriff was verified by the county clerk’s office.
“I’ve always believed that the Sheriff should not be a partisan position that puts up a barrier to the population that is not of the same party,” Ross said.
The way of the Independent in Wyoming is somewhat burdensome, Ross added. Independents get to skip the primary election where some party candidates are knocked out, but to run they must meet nomination petition requirements by garnering enough signatures.
In addition to that, Independent candidates also face more financial restrictions. Wyoming campaign finance laws state that they cannot accept campaign contributions until after the primary election on August 21, leaving Independent candidates with a much shorter time frame to raise funds before the election. Party candidates are able to raise funds all year long.
“This does put an independent at a disadvantage, but it’s important to me for Teton County to have a Sheriff who is able to represent everybody and unite the sheriff’s office and this community under the same objectives that are best for our county, its residents and our visitors,” Ross said.
Ross is a sixth-generation valley native with family ties to one of the first game wardens and constables in the area. After 19 years with the Sheriff’s Office, Ross left in early 2017 after he and Sheriff Jim Whalen had a falling out.
Ross will face Matt Carr-D and Michelle Weber-R in the general election.
